For FC Barcelona to succeed as a collective team and squad, internal relationships need to be strong. Just like any other top club aims to do, La Blaugrana also wish to create a sense of family within the team. Through this sense of connection, Barcelona will undeniably play better than they would without it.
However, some players simply ooze a sense of camaraderie better than others around them. Yet, through the presence of these players, even the ones around them begin to feel like they belong and are enabled in a way that allows them to understand and resonate with their teammates.
Within FC Barcelona, perhaps no one continues to show that better than Raphinha at the moment. Beyond just his immense display in the victory over Athletic Club, the player continues to show that his bond with his other teammates is just as important as his individual quality.
After the match, the Brazilian winger posted a picture on Instagram (h/t Barca Times) with his Barcelona teammate Gavi, who is currently recovering from an ACL injury, and attached a wholesome caption to it:
“Miss you on the field my little brother.”
That just goes on to show the kind of relationship that these players have developed by now. Even though one comes from the roots of La Masia and Spain, while the other comes from Brazil and time spent in the English Premier League, they have managed to bond well and continue to show support for one another.
Perhaps no evidence is a better demonstrator to showcase the importance that Raphinha gives to the collective other than the mere fact that he has been selected as one of the team’s captains.
Despite other veterans such as Robert Lewandowski also being an option, it seems that his teammates resonate with the South American forward in a way that allows him to be an effective leader in the dressing room.
As for Gavi, his recovery seems to be on track for now. Many reports continue to suggest that the player could even make a return to the pitch sooner than his expected return in November. However, it would not be surprising to see Barcelona exercise some degree of caution when it comes to Gavi’s injury.
